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Red McKenzie
William McKenzie
Singer, Comb Player, Booking Agent
(1899 - 1948)
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Red McKenzie is probably best known for his vocals and comb-and-paper instrument, which sounded like a kazoo. Surprisingly, McKenzie’s “blue blowing,” as it was called, became quite popular and his band, The Mound City Blue Blowers, sold over a million records. Because of McKenzie’s strong promoting ability he was able to associate himself with many top jazz performers. His Mound City Blue Blowers’ records often featured such artists as Eddie Condon, Gene Krupa, Coleman Hawkins, Pee Wee Russell, Glenn Miller, and Jimmy Dorsey. His orchestra was the first to record the John Klenner / Sam M. Lewis song “Just Friends.”
- Sandra Burlingame |
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